[Risk of neoplastic diseases in conditions of exposure to radio- and microwave fields--epidemiologic investigations]

Med Pr. 2009;60(5):389-98.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The review presents current state of knowledge of cancer morbidity in persons exposed to radio- or microwave radiation in the environment or at working posts. The problem of cancer morbidity in persons exposed to microwaves was for many years limited to occupational medicine, but the introduction of mobile telephone system in the 1980s considerably increased the number of persons exposed to this radiation and raised concerns about cancer risks in the users of mobile phones. Cancer risks of microwaves are minor and doubtful, but there exist reliable epidemiologic investigations providing evidence that multiyear occupational exposure and intensive use of mobile phones for more than 10 years may cause the increased morbidity of certain types of neoplasms, mainly brain tumors, as well as hematopoietic and lymphatic malignancies. Neverthelesscurrent state of knowledge does not allow, according to the IARC classification, to classify radio- and microwave fields as the carcinogenic factor.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Brain Neoplasms / etiology
  • Electromagnetic Fields / adverse effects*
  • Electromagnetic Phenomena*
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Radiation-Induced / epidemiology
  • Leukemia, Radiation-Induced / etiology
  • Lymphoma / epidemiology
  • Lymphoma / etiology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / epidemiology*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / etiology*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Radio Waves / adverse effects
  • Risk Factors
  • Telephone